An historic Derby monument which dates back more than 500 years has become a meeting place for drunks and drug takers.

Stephen Templeton lives near the ancient Headless Cross in Friar Gate - a landmark which dates back to the 1400s and is Grade II-listed - and says it has been taken over by people taking and dealing drugs, drinking in the street and causing anti-social behaviour.

He said the problem has been so bad in the last three years, he has phoned the police non-emergency number around 80 times and made numerous complaints to Derby City Council.

Stephen Templeton at the Headless Cross

He said: "I have seen it all. It's a horrendous situation. The people meeting there have urinated and defecated outside my front door and also in my back garden. Imagine having to open your front door to that.

"They are disgusting and they use the headless cross as a meeting place and somewhere where the trouble starts."

The medieval artifact stands at the site of what used to be an ancient market place. It is thought it once used to be what was known as a "preaching cross" but lost its upper part some time before 1500, historians are unsure how.

Mr Templeton said: "They get out of their heads there on either alcohol or drugs and then go in our gardens and do their business. This is as bad as it gets. The Headless Cross is supposed to be a landmark and something which forms part of the history of Derby.

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"But Derby City Council is ignoring it. It's another example of them totally ignoring aspects of the city which has historical value. This situation has gone beyond breaking point.

"A young family down the road found a bag full of heroin needles and human waste in their garden. They have a little girl and she nearly picked the bag up.

People drinking on the monument

"I have seen countless needles. These people have come onto my property. I installed a locked gate to stop them but one of them trashed it and did their business again.

"They're begging for money on Friar Gate and spend it on drugs and alcohol and cause complete chaos.

"I've seen addicts injecting themselves so many times I have lost count. This is Friar Gate, that's what I try and keep thinking to myself, but how on earth did it ever get this bad? This is much worse than just the general crime you see living in any other city centre in the country."

The city council says there has been a "dramatic reduction in visible substance-induced antisocial behaviour in the city centre".

But Mr Templeton, 62, who has lived in the street for five years, said the problems have got worse in the last three years. He blames the authority for not doing enough to protect the cross.

An empty bottle of vodka by the monument

He said: "I have complained to the council with emails and gone to the police more than 80 times with the 101 number. The police are under-resourced, they have the whole of the city centre to look at.

"This is a historical area and a conservation area but I do not believe the council has done enough to protect it. I have given up with them."

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He has also called for paramedics several times when addicts fall ill. He said: "There was one woman a few months ago who was high, she could not stand up and was clearly under the influence of something. She fell over and banged her head on the road so I called an ambulance and stayed with her until they arrived.

"I've seen people at such a low state here. Some are high and drunk and undressed. It's become a way of life and it shouldn't be like that at all. I often see them shooting up and it's terrible."

Stephen Templeton says not enough is done by Derby City Council to protect the Cross

Mr Templeton said he wanted to see fencing put around the cross. He added: "That would be ideal. I firmly believe this is something that needs protecting."

A city council spokesman said: "Derby City Council coordinates an effective partnership response to the problems caused by on-street drinking, anti-social behaviour and the visible effects of substances.

“Through close working with the police, homelessness charities and substance misuse treatment services there has been a dramatic reduction in visible substance-induced antisocial behaviour in the city centre.

“Resources are scarce, but where possible the council will attempt to expand its approach to the problematic areas described by residents and local businesses adjacent to the city centre.

“With regards to keeping the area in good condition, in the last 12 months the council has carried out over 200 jet washing related jobs on Friar Gate, to ensure it is kept in good condition.

“The last complaint received about the Headless Cross was in August 2016 and there were none prior to that date.

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“Officers from the conservation and neighbourhood teams have been exploring the option of fencing around the monument. This would require funds securing for the work, and also requires planning permission, so is not an immediate solution.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work with partners to combat anti-social behaviour.”

Police have requested that Public Space Protection Orders are granted for the city centre, which would enable them to ban regular troublemakers. The council says it is considering the request, but has not yet started consulting on the issue.

Inspector Lauren Woods, from Derbyshire police, who is charge of policing for the area, said: “In response to a complaint made about anti-social behaviour in the area we have been conducting extra high visibility patrols. Positive action is being taken where necessary and advice given.

“We are continuing to work with our partners and the city council's neighbourhood teams to ensure the best outcomes and would urge anyone with any concerns regarding persistent anti-social behaviour to make contact with the local safer neighbourhood team.”